Can I Buy Travel Insurance After Departure?

Yes, but it depends on the insurer. While most standard travel insurance policies must be purchased before you leave your home country, some specialist providers offer post-departure travel insurance. These plans can be helpful if you’ve already begun your trip and forgot to buy coverage.

However, post-departure policies often come with important limitations:

• They may not include trip cancellation cover.

• Waiting periods (usually 24–72 hours) may apply before benefits become active.

• Some pre-existing conditions may not be covered.

• Policies may cost more than standard pre-departure ones.

Also, eligibility varies. Some insurers may only allow you to buy post-departure insurance within a certain time frame after leaving (e.g. within 5 or 10 days of departure). You usually must not have made any claims or had recent medical treatment.

Always read the policy wording carefully and compare providers. For full coverage, it’s best to buy travel insurance before your trip begins.